Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Crisp air fryer roast potatoes with rosemary and garlic.
What to look for in a colander
Start with stability. A wide base or feet help the colander sit securely in the sink, especially when it is heavy with pasta or potatoes. Hole size is the next decision: larger perforations drain quickly but can lose small shapes and grains; finer holes are more versatile but can drain more slowly. Material changes how it behaves. Metal handles heat well but can get hot; plastic stays cooler to touch but can warp if it meets very hot cookware. A colander with comfortable handles is easier to lift and shake dry, which is often what a recipe is really asking you to do.
Top picks in Colander
Citrus Octopus Salad
Chilled octopus salad with orange, lemon and parsley
Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)
Crisp German potato pancakes with onion, egg and flour
Pappardelle al Cinghiale (Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragù)
Pappardelle with slow-simmered wild boar ragù and pecorino
Pasta al Limone (Creamy Lemon Pasta)
Spaghetti with creamy lemon sauce, Parmesan and black pepper
Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Giant Beans in Tomato Sauce)
Greek baked giant beans in tomato and olive oil sauce
Common draining mistakes (and why they matter)
The biggest mistake is pouring without a plan. Make sure the sink is clear, the colander is positioned securely, and you have a safe grip on the pot before you lift. Another common issue is over-rinsing. Some foods are meant to keep surface starch (for example, pasta when you want sauce to cling), while others benefit from rinsing to cool or to remove excess starch. Finally, leaving food sitting in the colander can trap steam and moisture, leading to sogginess. A quick shake and prompt return to the pot or bowl keeps texture more intentional.
All recipes in Colander
Crispy Chickpea Tapas with Smoked Paprika and Garlic
Crispy sautéed chickpeas with smoked paprika, garlic and vinegar
BBQ Chicken Bowl with Brown Rice and Black Beans
Sticky BBQ chicken with brown rice, black beans and sweetcorn
Modern Taco Bowl
Taco bowl with lime rice, minced beef and black beans
Kedgeree (Curried Rice with Smoked Haddock and Eggs)
Curried rice with smoked haddock, eggs, butter and parsley
Pasta al Forno with Ricotta and Sausage
Baked rigatoni with sausage, ricotta and mozzarella
Macaroni Salad with Sweet Pickles
Creamy macaroni salad with sweet pickles and celery
Lentil Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Green lentils dressed warm with Dijon vinaigrette
Hyderabadi-Style Lamb Biryani
Hyderabadi-style lamb biryani layered with rice and fried onions
Ceviche de Corvina (Peruvian Sea Bass Ceviche)
Sea bass ceviche cured in lime with onion, chilli and coriander
Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos de Bacalao (Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Salt Cod)
Piquillo peppers stuffed with creamy salt cod béchamel
Rajma Chawal (Red Kidney Bean Curry with Rice)
Red kidney bean curry in spiced tomato gravy with basmati rice
Classic Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked macaroni in creamy cheddar sauce with a breadcrumb topping
Hot water and steam: keep it controlled
Draining boiling water is one of the moments in cooking where accidents happen quickly. Pour away from your body, keep children and pets out of the kitchen path, and be mindful of steam rising as the water hits the sink. If you are unsure about lifting a heavy pot, consider removing some water with a ladle first, or using a pot insert designed for draining. The goal is steady, controlled movement rather than speed.
Where to look next
Cooking method pairs naturally with a colander because draining and rinsing are often part of the technique, not just a final step. Difficulty can also be useful: some recipes rely on confident handling of hot, heavy cookware, while others keep draining simple and low-risk.
Roast
Veau Orloff (Roasted Veal with Mushroom and Onion Stuffing)
Roast veal layered with mushroom and onion stuffing
Bake
Brandade de Morue Gratinée (Salt Cod and Potato Gratin)
Salt cod and potato brandade baked with a golden breadcrumb topping
Roast
Porchetta con Patate al Forno (Rolled Pork Belly with Roast Potatoes)
Rolled pork belly with roast potatoes and herbs
No cook
Insalata Caprese con Burrata (Tomato and Burrata Salad)
Ripe tomatoes and burrata with basil, olive oil and balsamic
Medium
Peruvian Causa Cups (Potato with Tuna and Avocado Filling)
Causa cups with lime potato, tuna mayonnaise and avocado
Easy
Caribbean Fried Plantains (Pan-Fried Ripe Plantain Slices)
Golden, caramelised plantain slices fried in oil
Easy
Mango Sticky Rice
Sticky coconut rice served with ripe mango
Medium
Bánh Flan (Vietnamese Caramel Custard)
Silky baked caramel custard made with eggs, milk and condensed milk
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a colander if I have a sieve?
A sieve can drain small items well, but a colander is designed for volume and speed, especially for pasta and larger vegetables. Many kitchens use both for different scales of draining.
Should I rinse pasta after draining?
It depends on the recipe. Rinsing cools pasta and removes surface starch, which can be useful for pasta salads. For hot pasta with sauce, not rinsing often helps the sauce cling.
Why does my food stay watery after draining?
It may need a shake to shed trapped water, or the holes may be too fine for the volume you are draining. Letting food sit can also trap steam, which condenses back into water.
What is a colander best for besides pasta?
Washing leafy greens, draining blanched vegetables, rinsing beans, and cooling foods under running water are all common uses. The key is letting water move freely while keeping the food contained.
Is metal or plastic better?
Metal is durable and handles heat well, but can become hot to touch. Plastic is lighter and cooler to handle, but can warp with very hot liquids. Choose based on how you drain most often.
How do I stop small grains falling through?
Use a fine-mesh strainer or a colander with smaller perforations. For very small grains, lining a colander with muslin can work, but it slows draining.
Let the recipe guide the choice
If you mostly drain pasta and potatoes, prioritise a stable, fast-draining colander with comfortable handles. If you often rinse grains or small shapes, finer holes or a mesh strainer will make the work cleaner and less frustrating.
